Hunters interested in Montana's Hunt District 303 should be aware of its unique harvest quota system, where hunters must closely monitor the number of rams taken, calling a hotline for updates, as the season closes 48 hours after the quota is met. To participate without losing bonus points, hunters should apply for the unlimited permit as their first choice and avoid participating in the bonus point program, or alternatively, purchase the license over the counter. Each of the four units has its own separate quota of two rams, and despite the challenging terrain, unlimited tags are available yearly. It is important for hunters to purchase their tag before the season begins, ensuring they adhere to Montana FWP’s guidelines for this rigorous hunting opportunity.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 140"-160" | 165"+ |
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This district is immediately north of Yellowstone National Park and around the town of Gardner in south central Montana. Much of it is a rugged mountainous area with many high peaks and numerous alpine basins in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.
The wonderful thing about this district is it is unlimited which means anyone can buy a bighorn sheep tag and go hunting. Sheep can be difficult to locate in the wilderness, making the past success highly variable. This district has spectacular scenery and is beautiful sheep country.
A majority of this district is in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The drainages are quite long, but gain over 4,000 feet in elevation. Most of the wilderness is heavily timbered until elevation puts you above timberline. All of the major peaks are over 10,000 feet. The National Forest lands above the Yellowstone River and around Gardner are steep rolling open hillsides until you reach the timber.
There are several access points into this district. Most are off of Highway 89 on the west side of the district. Mill Creek on the north, Six Mile and Cedar Creek on the west and Bear Creek on the south and the Boulder River on the east are the main access into this district. There are good Forest Service trails throughout the district. A lot of this district is hunted adjacent to the Yellowstone River and the Gardner and Jardine areas. Most of the hunting will be on foot and or horseback.
The majority of the wilderness is timbered with spruce, fir and pine trees, but there is a lot of this district that has had major forest fires in the past. There are numerous open grass parks throughout the forest. The next elevation is covered with subalpine grasses and scattered subalpine conifers. This area is intermixed with boulder fields, rocky ridges and extremely steep faces. From here you are into the steep talus slopes leading up to the rocky peaks, only moss and lichens are found in this zone.
There are spectacular places to camp throughout this district. Hunting can be accomplished by day hiking from Highway 89 and adjacent trailheads. Motels, gas and restaurants are available in Gardner.
Roughly 241 square miles
90.5% public land
Elevations from 6,000-10,700 feet